A Ledger Blog

News, notes and observations about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay General Manager Mark Dominik said Saturday he was going to scan the waiver wire for some players released that might be able to help the team. He found two such players on Sunday but the price comes at an expense. The Bucs claimed center Ted Larsen and running back Kregg Lumpkin on Sunday. By doing this, the Bucs said good-bye to former All-Pro kick returner Clifton Smith. Tampa Bay also waived rookie tackle Derek Hardman. The Bucs also… Read More »

The preseason is over. All the practices are over. The players have put their best effort out there. Tomorrow Tampa Bay will have to make some real tough decisions as it pares down its roster from 75 players to 53 players. Is receiver Michael Clayton’s Tampa Bay career over? Can the Bucs afford to get rid of former All Pro Clifton Smith? How many defensive linemen will they keep? “The positive thing is that the cut and roster moves are… Read More »

In addition to his starting quarterback on the rack, Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris was added on Monday. Morris had to call off his scheduled talk with the media because of a stomach virus. General Manager Mark Dominik took his place and gave an update. Dominik said starting quarterback Josh Freeman is still scheduled to be ready to play by the opening week of the regular season. Freeman fractured the top tip of his thumb during Saturday’s preseason… Read More »

After mentioning how he wanted his players to be better motivated at practice on Thursday, Raheem Morris sung a different tune after Friday’s practice. There was a lot more chippiness among the players, as well as trash talking between the offense and defense during drills. That made for a spirited practice, even though they did not go live (hitting). “That was a really good practice,” Morris said. “The intensity of your team was great today. They came out and had… Read More »

Tampa Bay kick returner Clifton Smith was named to the USA Football/NFLPA “All Fundamentals” Team. The 26-man roster honors the NFL’s most fundamentally-sound players who also commit themselves to service in their communities. “I can donate stuff back to any youth football program that I want,” Smith said. “That’s big for me because my passion for the game and my passion for helping out kids gives me an opportunity to give back.” As part of the honor, a $1,500 equipment… Read More »

The NFL will announce the players who make the Pro Bowl on Tuesday on NFL Network (7 p.m.). Despite being 2-12, will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have any players make the NFC squad? Do they deserve to have any players? Offensively, guard Davin Joseph made the team last season. Will he go back-to-back? What about left tackle Donald Penn, who has done an admirable job of holding off opponents’ speed rusher and protecting the quarterback’s back side? How about center… Read More »

Tampa Bay Buccaneer tight end John Gilmore did not practice Wednesday because of a head injury. There was no word on when Gilmore, the team’s primary blocking tight end, got injured. His availability is unlikely for Sunday’s game at Seattle. Wide receiver Michael Clayton (knee) and running back Cadillac Williams also did not practice. Williams does not have an injury but is normally given Wednesday’s off to rest his knees, with him coming off of two knee surgeries the last… Read More »

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed kick returner Clifton Smith on the injured reserve after the second year player suffered his second concussion this season. Smith suffered a knee to the head on kickoff coverage in the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers and did not return. He suffered his first concussion earlier this season against the Carolina Panthers while getting hit illegally on a punt return by Dante Wesley. To take Smith’s place on the active roster, the Bucs promoted… Read More »

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers returned to practice Wednesday with a lot more bumps and bruises than they have had in a while. Receiver Michael Clayton (knee) is the only Buc who did not practice and is not expected to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. His replacement, Maurice Stovall was limited in practice Wednesday with a thigh injury. In addition to Stovall, also limited were defensive lineman Michael Bennett (toe), defensive tackle Roy Miller (ankle), offensive tackle Donald Penn (knee), cornerback Aqib… Read More »

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back and All Pro kick returner Clifton Smith said he is feeling much better after suffering a concussion and wants to play Sunday when the Bucs travel to London to face the New England Patriots. “It was a rough couple of days but I feel a lot better,” Smith said Thursday. “We’re going to find out in the next couple of days if I’m going to play or not.” On Sunday, Smith was back to return… Read More »